Our Youth initiatives

The Napier Wine & Patatfees always falls over the long weekend in June which includes Youth Day. Inspiring the next generation and lending a helping hand when we can, has always been top of our committees agenda.

Last year the Napier Patatfees Organising Committee and The Agulhas School of Skills launched a bursary to support learners who attend the school.

“Any organisation has a responsibility to the community in which it operates,” says Dirk Uys, chairman of the present organising committee. “Helping a learner or learners financially to acquire the skills that will lead to employment and even job creation is, arguably, the best investment the festival can undertake.”

The Agulhas School of Skills

How we help

Mr R Johannes, principal of The Agulhas School of Skills, says that “this type of selfless support from the Patatfees promises to open many doors”.

The bursary enabled two learners to attend an 11-week course in Hermanus under the auspices of Learn to Earn. Our wish is that this experience helps them on their way to become independent adults and make a positive contribution to the economies of their community.

This was achieved with support from our sponsors, donors, advertisers, visitors and local residents. A huge thank you to all who contributed to the success of last year’s Patatfees.

CHARITIES

Napier, like thousands of small towns dotted across the map of South Africa, is no stranger to poverty.

High unemployment prevails and a lack of skills fuels low-income paid jobs. Children are vulnerable, more often from single parent families who are struggling and there are very few positive role models for them to emulate. To counter this a number of worthy charities and NPO’s were started and manned by concerned residents and volunteers who work tirelessly to help improve the lives of as many as they can.

If you would like to lend a hand, or make a donation to these worthy causes, please contact them direct, or look out for them at the Patatfees.

Napier Child welfare

Kammaland crèche

Haasbekies

Club Emmanuel

Nuwerus Nasorg

MORE ABOUT NUWERUS NASORG

The Nuwerus Nasorg is just one of these excellent charities. Established 20 years ago to be a safe haven for children to learn life skills, help with and monitor school home-work, play in safety, kept fed and warm and get involved in numerous uplifting projects and events throughout the year, such as making scarecrows and entering a float for the Patatfees carnival!

Today the Nuwerus Nasorg is accredited and affiliated with Child Welfare. They hold a daily morning crèche for up to 60 children between the ages of 2-5 years and a daily aftercare programme for up to 80 older children between the ages of 6-18 years. They also take part in a community feeding scheme funded by the municipality during the winter months for any impoverished adults.

They are also building an emergency safe-house for infants who have been abused and desperately need funds to complete and sustain this.

The Nuwerus Nasorg is dependent on donations to survive. Gifts of food, clothing, nappies, blankets in fact anything that a child or adult may need are always gratefully received.

Volunteer

Photographers credits

We owe a huge debt of gratitude to a number of photographers who have covered the Napier Patatfees over previous years and have given their permission for us to use their striking images throughout our new website and PR campaign.